University minority department observes 10-year anniversary

Posted: Wednesday, October 06, 1999

By Lee ShearerStaff Writer

Talks by state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond and University of Georgia National Alumni Association President Hilton Young will highlight a series of programs marking the 10th anniversary of UGA's department of minority services and programs.

The anniversary celebration begins today and continues through Saturday, when Thurmond and Young speak on the UGA campus.

The first event focuses on a topic that's been much in the news lately. The program, called ''Minority Shortage at UGA,'' is a roundtable discussion involving UGA students and staff members. It is scheduled for 6 p.m. today in the south auditorium of UGA's Psychology-Journalism complex.

UGA has one of the lowest minority enrollments among the 34 schools and colleges in the University System of Georgia, the state system of public schools and colleges, and if an ongoing federal court attack on UGA's affirmative action admissions policy succeeds, it could drop even lower.

Like most of the other events in the four-day anniversary celebration, today's discussion is free and open to the public.

And like the office itself, most programs focus on students.

''This office was really the brainchild of a couple of students who felt minority students needed a place of their own and help with their organizations,'' said Vanessa Smith, the office's assistant director and a staff member since the office was founded 10 years ago.

''Helping those student organizations, whatever their function is -- we are just here to assist them,'' Smith said. ''The bottom line for me is that we help students and enable them to be more successful at the university.''

Anniversary events continue at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Memorial Hall Ballroom, when Pennsylvania music expert William Eric Perkins will give a talk on the future of two of the country's hottest musical styles, hip-hop and rap.

Three events are scheduled for Friday, beginning with a talk by UGA art professor Marie Cochran, who will talk on ''The Experience of Black Women in the Academy'' at 12:20 p.m. in room 407 of Memorial Hall, which houses the offices of the minority services department.

Cochran's talk is co-sponsored by the UGA Women's Studies Program, and several other UGA organizations are helping with several other events. The sponsors include the Black Educational Support Team, the Student Government Association and the Black Affairs Council, said Sherwood Thompson, UGA's new minority services director.

Cochran's talk will be followed by an open house in the minority services offices, scheduled to start at 3 p.m.

Friday's final event is an alumni-student jam, beginning at 9 p.m. in the Memorial Hall Ballroom. Cost is $3.

The anniversary programs wrap up with two events on Saturday.

At noon Saturday, Hilton Young will address a luncheon at the Tate Student Center. Young, a native of Athens and an Athens businessman, is a former UGA football player and is now president of the UGA National Alumni Association. Tickets for the luncheon are $12 a plate.

The final event is Saturday evening, when state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond is the featured speaker at a closing program and reception beginning at 6 p.m. in the Morton Theatre, 195 W. Washington St.

Thurmond, a lifelong Athens resident, is a former legislator and last year became the first black elected to statewide office in Georgia history.

Saturday's closing program also includes performances by the UGA Black Theatrical Ensemble and the African-American Choral Ensemble. Light refreshments will be served.